I don't know where all you are going in India. Some places
are pretty grim and others less so. I loved India and will
try to return, but! there is culture shock if you haven't
done some 3rd world travel. OAT is a good company; I've run
into them in previous travels and have heard only good
things about them. They often stay a little higher on the
hog than Explore, though in Darjeeling we stayed at the best
hotel in town, really nice! Charm, good food and service.
You'll find Bhutan less grubby and crowded than India; they
don't have the overcrowding problem. Scenery is
spectactular. People was welcoming. Roads are ok, by
Himalayan standards. They were really bad around Sikkim,
washed out from the monsoons. Which is why we were in jeeps.
Tell me your impression of the Takkim!